Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology

MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is a museum of art, architecture and technology in Lisbon's Belém district, right on the bank of the Tagus. It opened to the public on 5 October 2016, and the short name MAAT quickly became one of the best-known labels on the city's cultural map.

What is this place?

MAAT is made up of two buildings standing side by side, and they could hardly look more different. The first is the former Tejo Power Station, now called MAAT Central. It was built between the 1910s and the 1940s and supplied electricity to the wider Lisbon region, running continuously from 1909 to 1954. The second is a modern structure known as MAAT Gallery, designed by the London studio AL_A, which Amanda Levete and colleagues founded in 2009.

What does the building look like?

The new part of the museum stands out for its curving, flowing shape. The facade is covered in white tiles that catch the light and change the building's look through the day. It contrasts sharply with the industrial character of the old power station next door. Seeing those two worlds together is one of the main reasons to come, even if exhibitions are not your priority.

What can you see inside?

MAAT Central hosts the permanent exhibition "The Electricity Factory", which tells the story of the building's earlier life, along with the EDP Foundation's energy heritage collection. The museum also stages temporary exhibitions by contemporary artists, architects and thinkers from Portugal and abroad. Programmes change over time, so check the official website for what is on before you go.

Planning your visit

According to OpenStreetMap, opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:30–19:00, and weekends and public holidays 9:30–19:00. Hours can change, so confirm them before travelling. The phone number listed is +351 963 780 233. The coordinates are roughly 38.6959 N, 9.1935 W.

The riverside setting makes it easy to combine the visit with a walk. You can stroll slowly along the Tagus, looking out over the water, with the 25 de Abril Bridge on the horizon. Belém is one of the most visited parts of Lisbon, so MAAT fits naturally into a day of sightseeing in the area.

Frequently asked questions

Where is MAAT? In Lisbon's Belém district, on the Tagus riverfront.

When did it open? To the press on 2 October 2016 and to the public on 5 October 2016.

Who designed the new building? The London studio AL_A, founded by Amanda Levete and colleagues.

What was the Tejo Power Station? A power plant that supplied electricity to the Lisbon region and ran continuously from 1909 to 1954.

Is it only about art? No. Alongside contemporary art and architecture, you can learn about the history of energy and electricity inside the old power station.

Is it worth visiting without going inside? Yes. The building's shape, the white tiled facade and the riverside promenade are attractions in their own right, and the view of the river and the bridge completes the walk.